PREVALENCE OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC SUBCHONDRAL BONE LESIONS IN THE SCAPULOHUMERAL JOINT OF 32 IMMATURE DOGS WITH THORACIC LIMB LAMENESS

Osteochondrosis is a common developmental abnormality affecting the subchondral bone of immature, large breed dogs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe CT lesions detected in scapulohumeral joints of 32 immature dogs undergoing CT for thoracic limb lameness. Eight dogs (14 scapulohumeral joints) had arthroscopy following imaging. Thirteen dogs (19 scapulohumeral joints) were found to have CT lesions, including 10 dogs (16 scapulohumeral joints) with subchondral bone lesions and 3 dogs with enthesopathy of the supraspinatus tendon. In one dog, subchondral bone lesions appeared as large oval defects within the mid‐aspect of the glenoid cavities, bilaterally. These lesions resembled osseous cyst‐like lesions commonly identified in the horse. This is the first report of such a presentation of a subchondral bone lesion in the glenoid cavity of a dog. In all dogs, small, focal, round or linear lucent defects were visible within the cortical bone at the junction of the greater tubercle and intertubercular groove. These structures were thought to represent vascular channels. Findings from this study support the use of CT as an adjunct modality for the identification and characterization of scapulohumeral subchondral bone lesions in immature dogs with thoracic limb lameness.     

家兔骨骼标本制作过程中漂白和粘接效果的研究

家兔骨骼标本制作过程中,漂白和粘接是非常重要的两个环节,直接影响标本质量、美观。为了找到一种良好的家兔骨骼标本漂白和粘接工艺,将脱脂处理后的8只家兔骨骼随机分成4组,分别放入5%、15%、25%和30%的过氧化氢溶液进行梯度漂白,选取最佳效果。将漂白处理后的家兔骨骼,随机分成甲、乙、丙、丁4组,将其关节按不活动关节、半活动关节、活动关节作为试验对象,分别使用骨胶黏合剂、AB胶、502胶水和热熔胶进行粘接对比。结果表明：①不同部位的骨骼所需的过氧化氢浓度和作用时间均有所差异。头骨在30%过氧化氢中漂白1.5 h;颈椎、腰椎和胸骨在25%过氧化氢中漂白1.5 h;肋骨、肱骨和肩胛骨在15%过氧化氢中漂白1.5 h;掌骨、尾椎和指骨等部位骨骼在5%过氧化氢中漂白2 h效果最佳。②骨胶黏合剂起效快,粘接紧密,强度高,定型效果好。上述试验可减少标本制作过程中对家兔骨骼的损坏,最大限度地保持其原貌,使标本更加生动、逼真。     

绵羊骨代谢相关基因VDR密码子偏好性分析

【目的】明确绵羊维生素D受体(vitamin D receptor,VDR)基因密码子的使用特征,探究不同物种VDR基因进化规律,为骨代谢等相关疾病动物建模提供参考依据。【方法】利用CodonW、EMBOSS、Usage Codon和DNAMAN等软件对VDR基因CDS区的同义密码子相对使用度(RSCU)、密码子碱基含量、有效密码子数(ENc)及密码子偏好指数(CBI)等参数进行统计分析,并在多物种间进行比较,同时利用ENc-Plot关联分析和中性绘图等方法分析VDR基因密码子偏好性使用的主要影响因素,并基于多物种同义密码子相对使用度数据与系统进化聚类分析探究密码子使用模式与生物进化的内在联系。【结果】绵羊VDR基因中有23个偏好使用以G/C结尾的密码子;大猩猩、鸸鹋、褐家鼠等其他14个物种在密码子使用上表现出了与之较为相似的特征,而在半胱氨酸、甘氨酸、组氨酸、丝氨酸、脯氨酸等个别氨基酸编码时,鸸鹋、褐家鼠和麻雀等部分物种显现出独有特点;ENc-Plot绘图和中性绘图分析显示,选择压力对VDR基因密码子偏好性的影响强于突变压力。【结论】以G/C结尾的密码子为VDR基因优势密码子,自然选择是导致其偏好性的主要力量,密码子偏好使用存在物种特异性,并与物种亲缘关系进化存在关联性。     

Quantitative CT assessment of bone mineral density in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism

Canine hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is one of the most common causes of general osteopenia. In this study, quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to compare the bone mineral densities (BMD) between 39 normal dogs and 8 dogs with HAC (6 pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism [PDH]; pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism, 2 adrenal hyperadrenocorticism [ADH]; adrenal dependent hyperadrenocorticism) diagnosed through hormonal assay. A computed tomogaraphy scan of the 12th thoracic to 7th lumbar vertebra was performed and the region of interest was drawn in each trabecular and cortical bone. Mean Hounsfield unit values were converted to equivalent BMD with bone-density phantom by linear regression analysis. The converted mean trabecular BMDs were significantly lower than those of normal dogs. ADH dogs showed significantly lower BMDs at cortical bone than normal dogs. Mean trabecular BMDs of dogs with PDH using QCT were significantly lower than those of normal dogs, and both mean trabecular and cortical BMDs in dogs with ADH were significantly lower than those of normal dogs. Taken together, these findings indicate that QCT is useful to assess BMD in dogs with HAC.     

Changes in compact bone microstructure of rats subchronically exposed to cadmium

Background

Chronic exposure to cadmium (Cd), even at low concentrations, has an adverse impact on the skeletal system. Histologically, primary and secondary osteons as basic structural elements of compact bone can also be affected by several toxicants leading to changes in bone vascularization and mechanical properties of the bone. The current study was designed to investigate the effect of subchronic peroral exposure to Cd on femoral bone structure including histomorphometry of the osteons in adult male rats.In our study, 20 one-month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups. In the first group, young males received a drinking water containing 30 mg of CdCl₂/L, for 90 days. Ten one-month-old males without Cd intoxication served as a control group. After 90 days of daily peroral exposure, body weight, femoral weight, femoral length, cortical bone thickness and histological structure of the femora were analysed.

Results

We found that subchronic peroral application of Cd had no significant effect on body weight, femoral length and cortical bone thickness in adult rats. On the other hand, femoral weight was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in Cd-intoxicated rats. These rats also displayed different microstructure in the middle part of the compact bone where vascular canals expanded into central area of substantia compacta and supplied primary and secondary osteons. Additionally, a few resorption lacunae which are connected with an early stage of osteoporosis were identified in these individuals. Histomorphometrical evaluations showed that all variables (area, perimeter, maximum and minimum diameter) of the primary osteons’ vascular canals, Haversian canals and secondary osteons were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the Cd group rats. This fact points to alterations in bone vascularization.

Conclusions

Subchronic peroral exposure to Cd significantly influences femoral weight and histological structure of compact bone in adult male rats. It induces an early stage of osteoporosis and causes reduced bone vascularization. Histomorphometrical changes of primary and secondary osteons allow for the conclusion that the bone mechanical properties could be weakened in the Cd group rats. The current study significantly expands the knowledge on damaging action of Cd on the bone.     

Evaluation of bone marrow aspirates from multiple sites for staging of canine lymphoma and mast cell tumours

This prospective study evaluated the utility of bone marrow aspirates (BMAs) obtained from multiple sites for staging of canine lymphoma (LSA) and mast cell tumours (MCTs). Forty dogs (LSA, n = 24; MCTs, n = 16) were enrolled, but only 33 (82.5%) had diagnostic bone marrow (BM) aspirates obtained from two sites for inclusion in the study. Nineteen dogs with LSA were included, and 6 (31.6%) had BM involvement. Neoplastic lymphocytes were present in BM from both sites in all of these dogs. Fourteen dogs with MCTs were included, and 3 (21.4%) had BM involvement. Neoplastic mast cells were present at both sites in two dogs and at only one site in the third. These results indicate that BMAs from multiple sites may not be needed for accurate staging of canine LSA patients, but more studies evaluating the pattern of BM infiltration in dogs with high‐grade MCTs are warranted.     

普通骨板内固定治疗玩具犬桡尺骨骨折的回顾性分析

本试验旨在评估普通骨板内固定治疗玩具犬桡尺骨骨折的临床效果及并发症。回顾了中国农业大学动物医院使用普通骨板（圆洞骨板或兽医可剪裁骨板）开放式复位和内固定治疗桡尺骨骨折的玩具犬的病历记录,并对这些病例进行回访。入选病例满足以下条件：体重不超过7 kg;回访时间大于12个月;病例信息记录完整。结果显示：共纳入63只犬的64例桡尺骨骨折,49例（76.6%）术后无跛行,7例（10.9%）术后勉强可见到跛行,6例（9.3%）存在轻度跛行,2例（3.1%）存在中度跛行。严重并发症的发生率是6.3%,轻微并发症的发生率是27%。试验表明,普通骨板内固定能有效治疗玩具犬桡尺骨骨折,该方法临床效果良好,且严重并发症发生率低。     

Surgical repair of radial carpal bone fractures in two racehorses

A 3-year-old Standardbred gelding (Case 1) and a 2-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Case 2) were referred for surgical evaluation of a left radial carpal bone (RCB) fracture, sustained during training. Clinical findings at the time of initial examination included a palpable effusion within the left middle carpal joint in both horses and marked signs of pain and reduced range of motion on flexion of the affected carpus. In both horses, the RCB fracture was evident on the following radiographic views of the carpus: dorsolateral–palmaromedial oblique (30° off lateromedial) and flexed lateromedial. An additional loose wedge-shaped osteochondral fragment at the proximal articular surface of the RCB could be seen in Case 2. Both horses underwent surgical reduction and repair of the fracture between 1 and 2 days following the initial injury, which consisted of arthroscopic removal of any intra-articular osteochondral fragments, and arthroscopic assisted-interfragmentary compression via a standard dorsomedial and dorsolateral approach to the antebrachiocarpal joint (ACJ) and middle carpal joints (MCJ). The two horses returned to function as racehorses, 6 months (Case 1) and 16 months (Case 2) after surgery. The RCB is a relatively uncommon site for large carpal fractures in horses. The clinical presentation and findings from this report were similar to that of third carpal bone (C3) slab fractures, confirming that surgical repair is indicated in selected cases of RCB fractures.